The door hasn’t been closed on a future return to the fold for Nottingham Forest defender Steve Cook.
Little more than 12 months after putting pen to paper at the City Ground, the centre-back has been left off the Reds’ 25-man Premier League squad list for the second half of the season. Having made seven signings in the January transfer window, space needed to be made in the Forest squad to accommodate them. Cook, injured duo Omar Richards and Giulian Biancone, and Lewis O’Brien, whose deadline day loan move to Blackburn Rovers collapsed, failed to make the cut.
Cook played an integral part in last season’s promotion success after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal last January, but had been in and out of the team this time around. The arrival of Felipe pushed him further down the pecking order, while it is hoped Moussa Niakhate will soon be able to add to the competition for places at centre-back. But despite making less than 40 appearances for the club, Cook made a lasting impression on supporters and remains well thought of by head coach Steve Cooper.
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“There’s always decisions to be made through any January window - ins, outs and everything else,” Cooper said. “What I do know about Cookie is that obviously his contract isn’t up or anything like that, and if I look at the impact he’s had for us, it’s one he should be really proud of.
“We’re really proud of what he’s done. I won’t forget that, and I’m sure supporters won’t either. We’re grateful for that
“I’m talking like it’s the end, and it’s not. It’s just a situation that he and we are in at the moment. We always try to make the right decisions for the club, and there’s always people who fall either side of that. That’s just what we’re trying to do.
“I’m very fond of Cookie, and also very grateful for what he’s given so far to the club. Who knows what he’ll give in the future. I’m pretty sure supporters would feel the same.”
Asked if that means there is potentially a route back for the 31-year-old further down the line, the Reds boss added: “While players have got contracts, you should never say no to that. I’m not going to, either. Let’s see.”
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